Aaron Nystedt

Co-Founder

Aaron attended Saint Cloud State University (SCSU) where he received his B.S. in Community Psychology. He obtained his masters from SCSU in Applied Behavior Analysis where he conducted research on non-contingent reinforcement interventions and error correction procedures. Aaron is a conference presentation award winner and has previously sat as a chair member on the MNABA board. He has been working in the field of ABA since 2006. His experience includes functional behavior assessment, function-based intervention, and social skills training with clients from ages 18 months to 81 years of age. Aaron has been a BCBA since January 2011 and has an extensive history of working in staff leadership roles and developing multiple BCBAs clinical skill sets.

Leah Wood

Co-Founder

Leah attended Murray State University where she received her B.A. in Psychology and Social Welfare. She completed her masters in Experimental Psychology where she conducted research on decision-making styles and emotional intelligence. Leah later earned her post-masters certification in Applied Behavior Analysis from University of Colorado, Denver. She has been working in the field of ABA since 2008. Her experience includes conducting functional assessments, behavior reduction programming, in-home case management, parent training, early-intervention, and social skills training with clients from age 1-50+. Leah has been a BCBA since May 2013.

Elizabeth Grishaw

Director of Quality Assurance

Elizabeth attended Santa Clara University where she received her B.S. Psychology and her B.A. in Music (Violin Performance). She completed her masters degree in Special Education with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis at Penn State. She has worked in the field of ABA since 2014. Her experience includes conducting functional assessments, behavior reduction programming, verbal behavior intervention, in-home case management, ABA parent training, early intervention, and social skills training for clients aged 1 to 19 years of age. Elizabeth has been a BCBA since 2017.

She is also a Safety Care Trainer for both the core curriculum and the Safety Care for Families curriculum. She’s been a Safety Care Trainer since 2017.

Outside of work, Elizabeth enjoys hiking, spending time with friends and family, and playing the violin in orchestras throughout the Bay Area. She also volunteers monthly hosting a trivia night for adults with special needs!

Kevin Casaretto

Behavior Analyst

Kevin was born and raised in the Bay Area and attended University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) where he received his B.A. in Psychology. He completed his masters from Florida Institute of Technology in Professional Behavioral Analysis. He has been working with children in daycares and camps since 2012 and has been in the field of ABA since 2015. His experience includes early intensive behavioral intervention, verbal behavior intervention, function-based intervention, challenging behavior reduction, social skills training, ABA parent training, and social group facilitation with clients ages 18 months to 23 years of age. Kevin’s favorite part of being a BCBA, in addition to being silly with clients, is increasing the quality of life for all of the client’s and families he serves. His hobbies include DJing, outrigger canoeing in the Bay, and following the Golden State Warriors.

Benjamin Kwong

Behavior Analyst

Benjamin has worked with Bay ABA since May 2022. He was born and raised in the Bay Area and holds a Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in addition to his Masters of Arts in Psychology (2017). Benjamin received his B.A. in Liberal Studies from San Francisco State University in 2011. Benjamin has been working with the special needs community since 2009 and has been in the field of ABA since 2013. His experiences include early intervention, functional communication training, challenging behavior reduction, and social skills training with clients ages 2 years old to 14 years old. His hobbies include biking, hiking, swimming, camping, and playing ultimate frisbee.

Savan Patel

Behavior Analyst

Savan was born in London, England but raised in the east and south Bay Area. He began his career in Applied Behavior Analysis in 2017 working with children in the special needs communities. Savan completed his B.S. in Psychology at the University of Maryland Global Campus, and his Masters of Education in Special Education and Functional Analysis from Gonzaga University. His experience includes behavior change and reduction, functional behavior assessments, social skills training, functional communication training, and technician training, mentorship, and quality assurance. Savan enjoys board games, music, sports (San Francisco 49ers, Gonzaga Bulldogs, and Golden State Warriors), volunteering, and traveling.

Marissa Matteucci

Behavior Analyst

Marissa attended the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, where she earned her B.A. in Psychology with a Behavior Analysis emphasis. She completed her master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis at the University of Houston–Clear Lake. Marissa has worked in the field of ABA since 2016, with a broad range of experience, including conducting functional behavior assessments, developing behavior reduction programs, teaching social skills, implementing verbal behavior interventions, teaching cooperation with medical routines, and training caregivers to implement ABA programming. She became a BCBA in 2021. In her free time, Marissa enjoys spending time with family and friends, walking her dogs, and cheering on Wisconsin sports teams!